2.1.2: Explicitly constructed java.lang.String loses hashCode and equalsIgnoreCase

Description

Methods on an explicitly constructed java.lang.String are unavailable in 2.1.2. The unchanged feature passes on 1.5.2. This concerns Java.type and new, rather than assuming that a native JavaScript string should expose Java-only methods.

The 2.1.2 migration guide says existing Java interop patterns work unchanged. If this conversion is intentional, please clarify the supported way to retain Java String methods and document the migration.

Steps to Reproduce

Place the official standalone JAR in an empty directory and save this as repro.feature:

Feature: Methods on explicitly constructed Java strings
Scenario: Java String hashCode remains callable
* def JavaString = Java.type('java.lang.String')
* def value = new JavaString('abc')
* match value.hashCode() == 96354

Scenario: Java String equalsIgnoreCase remains callable
* def JavaString = Java.type('java.lang.String')
* def value = new JavaString('ABC')
* match value.equalsIgnoreCase('abc') == true

Run java -jar karate-2.1.2.jar run repro.feature.

Compare with java -jar karate-1.5.2.jar repro.feature.

No browser, server, credentials or configuration file is required.

Expected Behavior

hashCode() returns 96354, and equalsIgnoreCase('abc') returns true.

Actual Behavior

2.1.2 fails both scenarios:

TypeError: value.hashCode is not a function
TypeError: value.equalsIgnoreCase is not a function

1.5.2 passes both scenarios using the same Java installation.

Karate Version

2.1.2 standalone; comparison 1.5.2.

Java Version

Oracle Java 24.0.2.

Operating System

macOS ARM64.